Ryabchik

Ryabchik is a variety of field pea (Pisum sativum L.) intended primarily for fodder purposes. It belongs to mid-season varieties with a vegetative period from 71 to 78 days. Plants reach a height of 79 to 128 cm, have moderate resistance to lodging and drought, and increased resistance to shattering. Seeds of the variety are irregularly shaped, greenish-brown with intense purple speckling; the mass of 1000 seeds ranges from 150 to 191 grams. Cotyledons are yellow, the hilum is brown. Average dry matter yield is about 55.9 c/ha, and seed yield is 23.3 c/ha. Protein content in the grain reaches 23%, making this variety a valuable protein source for fodder purposes.

The variety was bred at the base of the State University of the Falenskaya Breeding Station and the Zonal North-East Regional Research Institute of Agriculture named after N.V. Rudnitsky, using the pedigree B-802 (Devgultum 182 × Nadzha) × Aist. Plants are characterized by a moderate number of internodes before the first inflorescence, a simple ring type of anthocyanin coloration in the axils, and reddish-purple flower wings. Pods are straight with an obtuse apex, without anthocyanin coloration spots on the valve. Despite good agronomic indicators, the variety is highly susceptible to ascohitosis and root rots, which requires attention during cultivation and plant protection.

It is important to note that this pea variety should not be confused with the imperial fritillary (Fritillaria imperialis), which is a decorative perennial flower with large bell-shaped flowers and a specific garlic smell. The imperial fritillary is widely used in landscape design, prefers loose fertile soil, grows well both in sunlight and in partial shade, and requires certain care, including proper bulb planting and protection from waterlogging. However, this information refers to a different plant and is not related to the pea variety Ryabchik.